An estimated 15-20% of school going children have problems with learning, cognition, behaviour and mental health, which disadvantages them and affects their contribution to society.
Early diagnosis and intervention with appropriate care are possible by understanding disorders of the brain and mind in childhood, said Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy, founder, The Buddhi Clinic, which recently organised a day-long symposium titled, ‘The Problem Child’, for doctors and allied health professionals.
At the symposium, three experts working in the field of pediatric neuropsychiatry were honoured for their work.
They delivered lectures on topics such as autism, ADHD, epilepsy and mental health.
Jay Salpekar, who is with Johns Hopkins University, emphasised the importance of low threshold of suspicion to information sharing and early intervention. Joyce Harrison, also from Johns Hopkins, spoke on the need to develop best practice models of care that link medical specialists, multidisciplinary professionals, schools and other organisations. India-based Pramit Rastogi, who has trained in the same University, spoke on the challenges autism and ADHD posed to children, their families, teachers and the community.
At the event Governor Banwarilal Puroit released the Tamil translation of Autism, the Buddhi Book.